For beginners, here are nine two-piece puzzles featuring bold graphics of some less-than-familiar garden animals: a snail, hedgehog, mole, frog, butterfly, ladybug, bumblebee, bluejay, and mouse. Unlike other puzzles in this series the knowing and naming part may take more time to master. The chunky two-piece puzzles are made of sturdy cardboard that fit together with relative ease and introduce children to the concept of part and whole. As you play with these simple puzzles toddlers are also building language with learning the names of familiar farm animals. This is one of a series of beginning puzzles. Marked 2 & up. Although some twos will be able to do these with help, this will be a better choice for slightly older children with more dexterity.

SNAP: Play an I Spy Game: Once children are familiar with all the puzzles and have played with them as suggested above, you can play another game with them. After the animals are together take turns making the animal sound of one of the animals and other player finds and names the animal you are spying. Reverse the game and have child make an animal sound for the creature he is spying. A good game for developing language and dexterity.